Table structure



Sept. 27, 1938. R. E. scHlEBER v.2513:12s-75g I Y TABLEl STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 19, 193s u s sneetvsspee't 1 ATTORN EY5.' l

Sept 27, 1938- R. E. scHlEl-ER 2,131,675

TABLE STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 19,A 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 27., 1938. R; E. scHlBER TABLE STRUCTURE Filed Novflg, 193e ssneets-sheet s ym. ATTORNEYS.

Pate@ Sie, 1938 i y 2,131,61575'1" UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE l f i 2,131,615 i .TABLE STRUCTURE Robert E. Schieber, Detroit, Mich. Application November 19, 1936, serial No. 111,562 I c 12 claims. (ci. S11-18) The invention `relates 'to a table ofthe typ Figure 11 is a vertical section taken through the -*ada.pted to be folded into a recess in the wall of lock von the line II-Il f Figure 6, 0n an ena room when not in' use. larged scale.

One object of the invention is to provide a Figure 112 is a fragmentary plan view of the folding table of large size adapted to collapse into lock. y 5

a relatively small wall recess. Figure 13 illustrates one form of key which 'Another object of the invention is to provide a may be utilized for operating the lock.

table of the type mentioned having a top surface Figure.-14 shows a. vertical section of the table adapted to be folded upon itself when moved into in a. partially foldedcondition. 1o the Wan recess. Fig. 15 shows a vcrticai section cf the tab1emf10 A further object of the invention is to provide its completely folded condition.

a table adapted to be folded into an appropriate As shown best in Figures 1 and 2, the table Wall recess wherein the table top itself constitutes comprises a pair of elongated sectionsindicated the closure element for said recess. generally at I0 and II, pivotally connected to- 1 l5 Another object of the invention is to provide a gether at their adjacent ends and adapted-to be 115 folding table of large size adapted to be folded collapsed into an opening indicated generally at and unfolded with a minimum of effort and with- I2 in'a Wall I3. out theneessity of supporting the weight of the The table sections proper comprise a. frame table. Work of angle iron members I4 upon which is see Another object of the invention is\to provide an cured a laminated top,` the outeredges of which automati'clocking means for holding the table in conform tol the outer faces of the angle iron inoperative position members. In the preferred form, shown in Figs.

A further object of the invention is to provide 3 and fi, the top, comprises a layer of sheet metal a, table of the type described which is simple, in- I 5 secured by rivets or Welding to the horizontal .expensive to manufacture, light in Weight and flanges of the angle iron members, and a layer rugged in construction, of linoleum I@ whichis secured to the sheet-metal Other objects and advantages of the invention layer by any suitable means such as an adhesive. will become apparent upon reference to the ac- As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the sheet metal layer companying drawings, specification and the is Vprovided with a series of spaced transversely claims hereinafter set forth. extending channels or corrugations I'l for in- 30 .Referring to the drawings wherein like numei'- creasing `its transverse rigidity. An edge nish als are applied to like parts in the several views :v strip i8 of aluminum or other suitable metal is Figure -1 is a perspective view of the table ilsecured to the outer face of the angle iron memlustrating the manner in which it is folded or bers. The finish strip extends entirely around unfolded. both table sections and extends upwardly flush 35 Figure 2 is a perspective View of the table in its with the top surface of the linoleum. unfolded or operative position. It will be observed that this construction re- Figures 3 and 4 are enlarged longitudinalsecsuits in a light Weight top of sturdy construction tional'views of the inner and outer table sections, and having a top surface of material which deadv respectively. y ens sound and is highly resistant to marring. lf

Figure 5 isa horizontal section ,taken on the line desired, additional sound deadening characteris- 5-5 of Fig. 3 showing the automatic locking tics yrnaybe'seczured by providing a layer of pressmeans for holding'the table in its folded or ined Wood or the like between the linoleum and operative position. sheet metal layers as shown in Figures 5, 7, 8 `and Figure 6- is a. plan view of the table in operative 11, or by substituting pressed wood for the sheet 45 position, .with parts broken away and others in metal layer. If the sheet metallayer is not used,

section. the angle iron members I4 are secured directly `Figure 7 is a transverse vertical section taken to the pressed wood layer by any suitable means on the line 'l-- of Figure 6.- such'as countersunk flat headed rivets or bolts,

Figure il is a-transverse vertical section taken and the under side of the table is reinforced by 50 on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6. 'transverse members I9, as shown in Fig. 1.y

Figure 9 'shows a fragmentary longitudinal ver- The abutting endsof the twotable sections I0 tical section taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 6. and II are hinged together by means of a hinge 20 Figure 10 is a horizontal section taken on the having its hinge arms welded,.riveted or otheraline Ill-I8 of Figure 9. Wise permanently secured to the inner sides of 55 the end angle iron members I4, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The hinge is so arranged that the top surfaces of the two table sections abut each other and lie in the same plane when the table is'unfolded and placed in its operative position.

When the'table is folded it is adapted to be positioned within and close the recess 'I2 in the wall I3, which recess is provided with a sheet metal lining 30 covering the side wall, top wall,

back wall and a portion of the bottom wall of the recess. The side and top edges of the recess are reinforced by angle iron members 3l, 32 and 33 which are welded'or othenwise xedly secured together at the topcorners of the recess. Positioned at opposite sides of the recess adjacentl the lower portion thereof is a pair of plates 35,`one of which is shown in 'Figures 3, 9 and 10. Re-

ferring particularly to Figure 10, it will be seen erably by welding, riveting or the like to form an` integral unit adapted to be installed in the wall of a building as a permanent part thereof. In addition, this unit is provided with a plurality of anchor bars 39 welded at spaced points along the inner faces of the angle irons 3|, 32 and 33, and an angle iron 40 welded to the top of lining 30 and extending outwardly beyond the sides ofthe lining 30. 'Ihe anchor bars 39 and angle iron 40 are embedded in the wall I3 to reinforce the recess lining frame. The plate members 35 may form a permanent part of the recess lining unit, if desired, but they are preferably secured in place by machine screws passing through the plate and angle iron members 32 and 33 and spacer members 36 to facilitate installation.

Plate members 35 are provided with slots 40,

the lower portions of which extend vertically while the upper portions incline upwardly and outwardly of the recess, as shown best in Figure 3. In addition, plate members 35 are provided with vertically-extending grooves in their rear faces for the reception of sliding latch members 4I, shown best in Figures 9 and 10. 'I'he latch members 40 are adapted to fall by gravity in their respective grooves across the adjacent slots 40 in the members 35; and pins 42 are provided to prevent complete withdrawal of the latches from their recesses.

The inward edge of the table top section II is provided with an end piece 49 secured by mafall 'by gravity into a position wherein they lock the rollers at the upper ends of slots 48, thus 2,131,675 i l A holding the adjacent end of the table in lts operative position.

A yoke memberV 52 is journaled at its ends on plates 35 by means of pins xedly secured to the downwardly extending ears .53 'on yoke 52 and ex tending into suitableopenings in the lowenportions of the plate members. The yoke is provided at its mid point with a housing having a transverse bore in which is xedly secured-the end of a tubular strut member 54; and a pin 55 passing site end' of strut 54 is pivotally connected to the through the yoke housing andstrut prevents .relative movement between the two. The oppoopposite end of -table section II. The latter connection comprises a. bracket 56 secured to the under side ofthe table section I I at a point spaced inwardly from the outer end thereof by means of machine screws 51 passing through the inwardly extending flange on angle iron members I1.

Bracket 56 is provided with four pairs of spaced' downwardly extending ears 58. through which is passed a rod 59. 'Ihe upper or outer end of the 'tubular strut member 54 is provided with' a yoke 60 having bifurcated arms, the ends of which are journaled on rod 59 at points between the respective ears 58 of the outer pairs on bracket 56, as best shown in Figure 8. Yoke 60 includes a central longitudinally extending housing 6I, having a bore in which is received the end of the tubular strut member 54, as shown in Figue 3; and this end of the strut is provided with interior threads adapted to receive `a threaded adjusting plug 62, whichhas a reduced end portion 63 passing freely through the end of housing 6I. The reduced end engagement with a screw driver for the purpose of adjusting the position of the ends of strut 54 with respect to housing 6I, and thus adjusting the elevation of the outer end of the table section I I. A nut 64 is threaded on the'reduced end section 63 of the adjusting plug for the purpose of holding the shoulder on plug 62 against the bottom of the bore in the housing 6I and locking the parts in adjusted position.

The outer end of the table section I Il is supported by means of a leg structure comprising a frame having a pair of spaced upright members 10 and 1I connected by horizontall .transverse members 12 and 13, which have intermediate oilset portions 14 and 15, respectively, to accommodate the strut member `54 when the table is folded. The upright members 10 and 1I are curved outwardly above the upper horizontal member 13, as shown in Figure '1, and terminate in vertically extending portions journaled respectively on pins 16 and 11, carried by downwardly extending ears 18 and 19 on a horizontally extending bracket member 80. Pins 16 and 11 may take the form of headed bolt-like members, as shown in Figure '1,.in which case they'may be held against axial movement'with respect to the ears 18 and 19 by means of cotter pins and washers at the headless ends thereof. Bracket member is secured to the underside of the table section I0 by means of screws 8| passing into the horizontal flange on the angle iron members I1, or the bracket 88 may be welded to the angle iron members and spot welded to the sheet metal layer I5, if desired.

The lower ends of the upright leg members 10 and 1| are curved outwardly` and terminate'in vertical cylindrical housings and 86, in each of end of table section I may be adjusted by means of the cap screws 89 and 90, which are threaded into the upper ends of housings 85 and 86, respecuse the wheel units 81 and 88 are not intended to is folded into the wall recess.

function as caster wheels, but are fixed against rotation about their trunnion axes in aslightly toed-in position by means of cap screws 9| and 92. This slightly toed-inposition of the wheels guides the outerI end of a table in a straight line as the table is folded and unfolded. Itis apparent that if adjustments in the alignment of these wheels are desired, it can be accomplished by loosening the cap screws 9| and 92 and turning the wheels to the desired position. I

Means are provided for automatically folding the leg frame structure, just described, against the under side of the table section I0, as the table This means, as best shown in Figures 4, 6 and '1, comprises a pair of links |00 and |0I, each of which is pivotally -secured at one end to one of the upright leg members 10 or 1| by means of a cap screw I|02 having. a shoulder thereon, as shown in Figure '1, for spacing the head from the adjacent upright member and preventing binding of the pivotal connection. 'Ihe upper ends of link members |00 and |0| are journaled upon the outer ends of a pair of pins |03 and |04 respectively, which are carried respectively in longitudinally extending slots ina pair of longitudinal frame members |05 and |06. Frame members |05 and |06 are secured at their outer ends by cap screws I I0 to an elon- "ated horizontal ange I I on the end angle iron I4, and are secured by similar screws I I2 at their inner ends to the bracket member 80 upon which the leg frame structure is pivoted. Upon the i'nner ends of pins |03 and |04 are journaled respectively the ends of a pair of elongated link A members I I5 and |I6, the opposite ends of which are journaled on the rod 59 between the respective ears 58 of the inner pairs. As indicated in Fig. 3, links I I5 and IIB pass through suitable slots in hinge 20 when the table is unfolded.

By reason of the structure just described, it is apparent that folding movement of the table top about hinge 20 will move rod 59 toward the outer end of the table section l0. This movement is transmitted to pins |03 and I04by means of links II5 and IIB, respectively, thus moving pins |03 and |04 to the right in the slotted members |05 and |06. Such movement of the pins |03 and |04 effects, through links |00 and |0I, a folding of the leg frame structure about the pivot pins 16 and 11, in the manner indicated in Figures 1, 14 and 15. The linkages are so arranged that when the table is folded entirely Within the recess I2, the leg frame structure will be collapsed substantially parallel with the table top section I0, as shown in Fig. 15, at which time it will overlie the tubular strut member 54, the offset portions 14 and 15 of transverse leg frame members 12 and 13 being provided to accommodate the tubular strut member at this time,- as previously mentioned.

In addition, the rate of foldingis such that the free end of table section I0 is always supported free of the oor by means of the wheels on the leg structure. One of the advantages of this form folding mechanism and mar or injure the same..

In addition to the function of folding the leg frame structure automatically during folding of the table, the structure just described performs that function in 'such a manner as to materially assist in the table folding operation. This follows'A from the fact that the leg frame folding links ||5 and I I6 are in effect connecting rods operated 'by a crank arm which in the unfolded position of the table extends in line with the linksI I5 and IIB. The crankarm-in this case is thatjportion of the `table top II between hinge 20 and 'rod 59.' As a units and theadded overhanging weight assists in elevating the inner end of the t'able top, I 0 during the early portion of the folding movement.

When the table is folded into thev reces's,-the

inner section I| is automatically locked in place' by the lock mechanism shown at the top of Figure 3 and in thesection view of Figure 5. This lock mechanism comprises an *L-shaped plate |20 permanently secured to the back wall of lining 30,;as by a rivet I2I. Member |20 is provided `with a horizontally extending slot; and,a double arm laten member |23 ie pivetanyfmeunted within the` slot by means`of afvertically extending pin |24.

'I'he extremities 'of the lduble arm latch are spaced apart slightly more than-the width of finish strip I8 on the table top and are curved inwardly of the recess` in such a manner that, regardless of the pivotal movement of theflatch about pin |24, at least one of thearms has its extremity projecting int the path of the movement of the table top sections. Y

As the result of the ar'rangement'just described, the latch mechanism operates in the following manner. As the table is folded inwardly from the position shown in Figure 1, the outer edge of the inner table top section II first passes the extremity |26 on latch |23 and thenthe extremity |25 on the latch member until it assumes theV position shown in 'Figure 5. During this'movement, the latch is cammed out'of the way by its` inclined end surfaces and freelyrotates first to'a position wherein extremity |26 is out of the path of movement of table top section Il and then to about itshinge connection 20 with'the table top section I I until the side edge of section I0 engages the extremity |16` of the latch member, forcing it into slot |22, as shown in Figure -5. This results in a -pivotal movement, cf the latch. |23 to a position wherein'the extremity |25locks inner table top section II against outward movement. 'It will be observed that the lock mechanism just described automatically locks the table top section" II in its folded position and that the latch. can

only be released bya predetermined outwardL pivotal 'movement of .the table top section I0 about its hinge connection 20 with the section II.

In Figures 11, 12'and 13 is shown a. locking j means forsecuring the outer table top Section A` I0 within the recess. This means comprises a .I ends of a pair of oppositely directed locking Arods |35 and |36. As best shown in Figures 6, 11, and 12, the transverse bracket member l60 upon which 'the leg structure is pivoted` has an inwardly extending `projection |3'll which underlies and provides a housing for the rotatable lo`cking member |30. y The housing is provided with a pair of oppositely directed lateral slots |30V and |33 through which the locking rods |35 and |36 extend, respectively. 'The outer extremities of the locking rods l|35 and |36 extend through suitable openings in the angle`iron side members Il. and I8 andare adapted, when the rotatable locking member I 30 is rotated, to project beyond the outer faces of nish strips i6 and to engage in suitable openings |40 in the plate members 30 A35 of the recess to lock the outer table section within the recess.

While any suitable means, such as a handle,

. may be utilized to rotate the lock member |30,

in the preferred form shown in the drawings this rotation iseifected by.a removable key, shown in Figure 13, which may be .inserted within a key slot |4| in member |30 for rotating the same. The slot |4| in the` rotatable lock-lng member |30 is provided with an enlarged portion inwardly of the exposed face of member |30. This enlarge- -ment of the inner end of the slot denes a pair of shoulders |42 and |43 extending in a plane parallel to the table top. By reference to Figure 412, it will be seen that the enlarged inner section of slot |4| has its side walls parallel to each other but positioned at an angle with respect to the side walls. of the entrance portion of slot |4|, with the result that the shoulders |42 and |43 formed at the juncture of the two rslot vportions are triangular in shape.

The key shown in Figure 13 1s providedv with a pair of oppositely disposed transverse grooves |50 and |5| adjacent its ends, which deine shoulders |52 andv |53. It will be seen that whenthe key is inserted into slot |4| and rotated in a clockwise direction to unlock the table top sectioni, the shoulders |52 and |53 will engage under the shoulders |42 and |43 in the slot of the locking` member |30. Such inter-engagement of the shoulders on the key and on'the locking member prevents withdrawal of the key, with the result that the key may be utilizedto pull the table top section |0 out of the recess. However, when the key is rotated in the opposite direction to lock the table top in position within the recess, shoulders |52 and |53 cannot engage under the shoulders |42 and |43 in the locking member, and thus when the locking is completed the key may be easily withdrawn.

It will be observed from the above description that there is provided, in accordance with this invention, a relatively simple folding table of large size adapted to 'form a permanent part of the wall of a room, and which is very easily folded or unfolded into a recess in the wall. When the table is installed, it may be readily adjusted to a 'level position regardless of irregularities'in the floor b y meansof .the adjusting plug |62 on the strut member 55 and the adjusting cap screws 89 and 90 onthe wheel units 81 and 68. Once this adjustment is made for any given installation, there is ordinarily no necessity for further adjustment during the life of the table.'

.When it is desired to fold the table from the position shown in Figure 2, it is only necessary to lift latch members 4|l whereupon the weight ofthe `table top section will cause it to fall downwardly to a slight extent, guided by the rollers 52 in slots 40 of the plate members 35. As soon as the "rollers have moved downwardlyfrom the position` shown in Figure 9, the latch members 4 may bereleased since they cannot thereafter fall back into locking position. It will be observed that the weight of theinner end of the table top section Il, in causing that end of the section to drop downwardly, tends to elevate the outer end of, the section the hinge connection 20, and the innerend of the table top section I0. This initiates the folding, and increases 'the amount of overhang of top I0 over wheel units 81 and 80 as previously described, accordingly the folding action can be completed by a relatively light inward push on the outer extremity of the outer table section l0. It will be noted that at no time is it necessary to supportthe weight of any portion of the table when folding or `unfolding the same inasmuch as the supporting wheels always remain in contact with the floor.

As the sections move into the recess, latch |23 locks the inner table section against outward swinging movement and thus prevents accidental unfolding of the table. The oute section |.0 is

then locked in positionby means of the key and locking mechanism vshown in Figures 10, 11, 12 and 13. In the completely -folded position, the recess is closed by the table top section |0, which .lies substantially flush, with the wall and presents no projections upon which persons may catch` ternatively for a lunch or study room and a p1ay.

room, and projections from the wall of a. chil- '-dren's play room are a source of danger.

What is claimed is: l 1. In a folding table construction or the like, a supporting member, a table or the like including a pair of top sections pivotally connected together for movement into a common plane with their edges in abutment, means connecting one of the sections to'said support for swinging movet ment froma horizontal position into a vertical position, a supporting leg pivotally secured to the other section, oor engaging rolling means carried by said leg, Vand means for positively swinging said leg toward the plane of the other section as the sections are foldedtogether.

2. In afolding table construction or the like,

a supporting member, a table or the like includend to the under` side of the other top section,

floor engaging rolling means at the opposite end of said leg, and means lfor automatically swinging said leg toward the planev of said other top section as the rolling means moves along the oor during folding movement.

3. In a folding table construction or the like, a supporting member, a table or the like including a pair of top sections pivotally connected together for movement into a common plane with their edges in abutment, means connecting one of the sections to said support for swinging movement from a horizontal position into a vertical position, a supporting leg pivotally secured to the other section, floor engaging rolling means carried by said leg, and means for swinging said leg toward the plane of said other section of the table as the table is folded, said last mentioned means including a link pivotally connected at one end to the first top section at a point spaced from the axis of the pivotal connection between said sections and operatively connected at its opposite end to said leg at a point spaced thereon from the axis of the leg pivot.

4. In a folding table construction or the like, a supporting member, a pair of top sections pivotally connected together for movement into a common plane in edge-to-edge abutment, means connecting one of said top sections to said supporting member for combined rotary and translatory movement from a horizontal position spaced from the :door to a substantially vertical position with one edge adjacent the floor, and floor engaging means for supporting the other top section and guiding said sections in their folding movement.

5. In a folding table construction or the like, a supporting means, a pair of top sections pivotally connected together for movement into a common plane in edge to edge abutment, means connecting one of said top sections to said supporting member for combined rotary and translatory movement from a horizontal position spaced from the ioor to a substantially vertical position with one edge adjacent the floor, and floor engaging means for supporting the otherv top section and guiding said sections in their folding movement, said floor engaging means being pivoted to said other section, and means for automatically folding said oor engaging means towards the plane of s aid other section as the sections are folded together.

6. In a folding table construction'or the like, a supporting member having an upwardly extending slot, a top comprising a pair of sections pivoted together for movement into a common plane with their adjacent edges in abutment, means on one of said top sections adjacent its free edge for engaging in said slot, a strut member pivoted at one end to said supporting member and at the opposite end to said one top section adjacent the abutting edge thereof, and a rolling support for the other top section.

7. In combination, a wall having a recess therein, a table top or the like including a'pair of sections pivoted together for movement from a common horizontal plane into overlapping relation in spaced substantially parallel vertical planes, means connecting the free edge ofone `section to said wall. for a swinging movement into said recess with the opposite edge thereof adjacent the upper end of the recess, and latch means for locking said one section in said recess.

said latch means being operated automatically by the other section as it swings about the pivotal connection between said sections and into said recess. i

8. In combination, a wall having a recess therein, a table top or the like including a pair of sections pivoted together, means for connecting said top sections to the wall for movement into said recess with the two sections folded over one another in spaced substantially parallel vertical planes, automatic means for locking the innermost section within the recess independently of the outer section, said means being operated when the outermost section moves into said recess, and additional means for locking the outermost section in said recess.

9. In a folding table construction or the like, a supporting member, a table top or the like formed of two sections pivotally secured together, means for pivotally connecting one of said sections to said support at a point adjacent the edge remote from the other section, a strut member pivoted to said support and to the opposite edge of said one section, and a rolling support for the other section adapted to guide said sections in their folding movement, said strut and said rolling support being adjustable for leveling the top sections.

10. In a folding table construction, a supporting member having an upwardly extending slot therein, a table top having means adjacent one edge for engaging in said slot, releasable means associated with said member for holding said edge of the table at table height, a second table top pivoted to the opposite edge of said first table top, a rolling support for the outer end of said second table top, and a strut pivoted to said support and to the tlrst table top adjacent its outer end whereby the weight of the inner end of the first table top tends to cause said table top sections to buckle upwardly about their pivotal connection.

11. In a folding table construction, a supporting member having an upwardly extending slot therein, a table top having means adjacent one edge for engaging in said slot, releasable means associated with said member for holding said edge of the table at table height, a second table top pivoted to the opposite edge of said rst tabletop, a rolling support for the outer end of said second table top, and a strut pivoted to said support and to the first table top adjacent its outer end whereby the weight of the inner end of the rst table top tends to cause said table top sections to buckle upwardly about their plvotal connection, said strut being adjustable in length to permit leveling of said table tops.

12. In a folding table construction or the like, a supporting member having an upwardly extending slot, atop comprising a pair of sections pivoted together at their ends for movement into a common plane with their adjacent ends in abutment, means on one of said top sections adjacent its free end for engaging in said slot, a strut member pivoted at one end to said supporting member and at the opposite end to said one top section intermediate the ends of the latter, and a rolling support for the other top section.

ROBERT E. semana. 

